"Violence Erupts Over Israeli Museum’s Sculpture of a Crucified Ronald McDonald"

[Cooky]

But we can guess it after a brief look at the artists wikipedia page.


"Jani Leinonen (born 22 March 1978 in Hyvinkää[1]) is a Finnish artist and political activist. Leinonen is known of his public artworks criticising capitalism by using the imaginary and icons of corporate brands.[2][3] He graduated from the Helsinki Academy of Fine Arts in 2002.[1]"

Sounds like one of those IKEA people who make 1940's looking furniture. The ones that go out of style before the decade ends... And they tried to sell me a meatball with a tiny bone in it.

...They live too close to the Soviet Union. That's why they're like that.

 

[Jumi]

And the Christian's who clashed with police act like monkeys. This whole thing is a monkey fight just like the one I saw last night on BBC.

It's wholly different. The chimpanzees fight for territory, resources. They're not fighting because they think other groups made fun of them and the fighting they engage in on film is a rather small part of their lives. For the Christians who were angered by this, they felt it was another way to demote them by another group. It's quite different traditional culture there comparing to the west where you can do just about anything in the name of art and no one even bats an eye. On the other hand, no one talks about the positives of the cultures there or the negatives of our own cultures.

 

[Jumi]

Sounds like one of those IKEA people who make 1940's looking furniture. The ones that go out of style before the decade ends... And they tried to sell me a meatball with a tiny bone in it.

When making your insults, try to make sure to at least insult the right country.

...They live too close to the Soviet Union. That's why they're like that.

Well you lived closer, since you shared a border with them, so what does that tell you?

 

[Cooky]

Norway, Switzerland, Finland... All the same.

 

[Cooky]

 

[Jumi]

Norway, Switzerland, Finland... All the same.

Just like you and your jokes.

 

[PruePhillip]

It's wholly different. The chimpanzees fight for territory, resources. They're not fighting because they think other groups made fun of them and the fighting they engage in on film is a rather small part of their lives. For the Christians who were angered by this, they felt it was another way to demote them by another group. It's quite different traditional culture there comparing to the west where you can do just about anything in the name of art and no one even bats an eye. On the other hand, no one talks about the positives of the cultures there or the negatives of our own cultures.

Since when do "Christians" clash with police. If they do this then they are not Christians.

 

[LuisDantas]

Blasphemy is not a crime. The sculpture is wrong because it makes fun of all those who have this form of execution. That guy, Jesus, was only one of many.

You are certainly entitled to that perception. It is reasonable enough.

I just don't find it particularly evident nor compelling.

 

[Audie]

. It says something.

It says "tacky".

 

[rosends]

Sculptor asks Haifa museum to remove his 'McJesus,' citing BDS

just to make things interesting.

 

[Cooky]

Sculptor asks Haifa museum to remove his 'McJesus,' citing BDS

just to make things interesting.

PC weakling.

...This could have been a good learning experience for everyone.

 

[Cooky]

It says "tacky".

In China, you guys ban art and religion all the time, right? And all kinds of other freedoms?

That seems about as boring as Russia.

 

[A Vestigial Mote]

I interpret the sculpture as pointing out the tepid-nature with which a large portion of Christians mete out their "path" in faith, and the fact that "church" these days ends up being a fairly commercial venture. You have near-coffee-shops built-in, contemporary concerts, professional sound systems, big-screen TVs everywhere, gigantic campuses with day-care centers and staff. It's probably not this way in Israel, for Israeli Christians, but then, this sculpture probably wasn't making a target of them anyway. I'm sure this was aimed specifically at provoking the thought of more western Christians.

Being atheist, I am obviously not offended by this. I feel it has a valid point to make, honestly. I'm trying to think of what someone could do to try and caricature the atheist community that would have me up-in-arms - but atheists vary on so many things... and only share one. To the point that I am afraid I am probably unable to understand the outrage. I suppose I might find myself somewhat upset if someone were spreading outright lies about me that I felt were affecting my relationships with other people. However, I don't feel there is a "lie" to be found here. An opinion is all it is - and many (myself included) will see it as a valid criticism.

If it were created and displayed in the U.S., I don't feel anyone would bat an eye. People have been trying to be avant-garde in the art subculture for so long here that even the members of our society who might take offense to this have been jaded out of doing so for quite some time already.

 

[columbus]

I interpret the sculpture as pointing out the tepid-nature with which a large portion of Christians mete out their "path" in faith, and the fact that "church" these days ends up being a fairly commercial venture. You have near-coffee-shops built-in, contemporary concerts, professional sound systems, big-screen TVs everywhere, gigantic campuses with day-care centers and staff.

This is what I saw.
Around here, McChurches are a growth industry. Increasingly tepid "prosperity gospel" messages, advertising budgets bigger than the charity budgets, etc.
Tom

 

[Shad]

Do you feel this is offensive?

Nope. Why? I lack of the baggage of "sacred" from the religious point of view and see far more humor, even if cynical, regarding a great many things.

​

If this happened in the USA what would you feel should be done about it?

Charges for those that took part in the violence and the individual(s) behind the molotov cocktail. Also a nice letter to the protestors containing "Suck it up" and a copy of the 1A.
.

 

[Shad]

I think his criticism isn't actually of religion, but consumerism and how these companies logos and such become like religious symbols and raised to the status of being a savior.

You can see the theme in his works:
Jani Leinonen

This is what was cited in another link within the OP article. Although that link itself has no source and is just another part of the same blog network.

This was buried in one of the website mentioned.

In video - 'McJesus' sculpture causes uproar in Haifa

"The “McJesus,” which was sculpted by Finnish artist, Janei Leinonen, and depicts a crucified Ronald McDonald, went on display in August as part of the Haifa museum’s “Sacred Goods” exhibit.The display also featured a number of other pieces depicting Jesus Christ, including one as a Ken doll, while the Virgin Mary was depicted as a Barbie doll."

Seems like a play off of religious scared concept aimed at consumerism and advertisement power along with social influence.

 

[Windwalker]

It says "tacky".

Yes, that is one of the many interpretations it inspires. Then again, there is something to be said about crucifying the symbol of fast food, the Master Clown of Chicken McBeak Nuggets with corn syrup dipping sauces. I think maybe if she'd had made him morbidly obese it may have added an interesting element to it. But see, it's got people talking. And that's sort of the point of these things. It evokes responses.

 

[BilliardsBall]

.

"A 2015 sculpture of a crucified Ronald McDonald — called “McJesus” by artist Jani Leinonen — created a stir over the weekend at Israel’s Haifa Museum of Art. On Friday, hundreds of Arab Christians clashed with police over what they claimed was an offensive piece of art that mocked their faith.

The sculpture has actually been in the museum since August, as part of an exhibit featuring the intersection of religion and modern culture. Even the government has lobbied for the museum to take down the supposedly blasphemous sculpture."
source
​

Do you feel this is offensive?

Why?
Why not?​

If this happened in the USA what would you feel should be done about it?

1. Nothing,
2. Take it down.
3. Other.​

WHY?​

.
.

IMHO, it is offensive to not praise the God who allows freedom of expression. We can visit non-Christian lands, including Muslim and secular atheist/godless, and find freedom of expression thwarted.

 

[Epic Beard Man]

And the Christian's who clashed with police act like monkeys. This whole thing is a monkey fight just like the one I saw last night on BBC.

Self control of our nature. That is coming loser to God -our true destiny.

This doesn't justify the disrespect of someone's faith.

 

[Epic Beard Man]

We don't need to know it. We don't own Jesus.

This is besides the point! what part of this is disrespectful that you don't get?